A Day in the Life with Julia Bonatti by Connie di Marco

Jun 8, 2016

Hi, I’m Julia . . . Julia Bonatti and I’m delighted to be here today.

This is, I guess, my first official appearance in the blogosphere, and I’m thrilled that my first time in public is with Dru Ann’s “A Day in the Life.” Well, other than the release of my first adventure in The Madness of Mercury, this is my first dip in the pool of the reading public’s consciousness.

I’ve always lived a pretty quiet life. I was working hard getting a graduate degree in anthropology and planning on a teaching career when my world collapsed. My fiancé Michael was killed in a hit and run accident and after that, nothing seemed to work right for me. I admit I was in pretty bad shape for a long time, but good friends helped me get through. Even so, the thought of picking up the pieces of my former life just didn’t make sense any more.

That’s when I discovered the Mystic Eye, an occult bookshop in North Beach, the neighborhood where I grew up. I found my first astrology book and I was fascinated. Not only that, I met my dear friend Gale, who owns the shop. As time went by I began to find my footing in life, slowly, each day I was a little stronger. It was studying astrology that helped me. To my mind it’s a form of psychology and character analysis. I hoped it would provide some answers. Answers to why my life had taken such a turn.

Then I discovered I was good with other people’s problems and (I think at least) I’m pretty good at what I do. It took a long time, but I’ve built up my business. I have a private clientele, and sometimes I work the psychic fairs at the Mystic Eye if they need help. What’s even more exciting was that I was offered a newspaper column at the Chronicle. It’s called AskZodia and I answer questions from all kinds of people.

It’s been very rewarding, but I have to tell you, that’s what started all the trouble in The Madness of Mercury. A woman wrote to me, well actually she wrote to AskZodia. She was worried because her mother had become involved in a religious cult that required her to sign over her house and all her savings.

As much as I hate to admit it, I do have a big mouth and I can be very opinionated. I told this woman exactly what I thought of this nonsense and before I knew it, I was targeted by the Army of the Prophet.

You can read all about my adventures in The Madness of Mercury. I certainly hope you enjoy the story, because it wasn’t a whole lot of fun for me at the time! I’m just glad I came out of it alive!

The Madness of Mercury is the first book in the NEW Zodiac mystery series, published by Midnight Ink, June 2016.

San Francisco astrologer Julia Bonatti’s life is turned upside down when she becomes the target of the city’s newest cult leader, Reverend Roy of the Prophet’s Tabernacle. Driven out of her apartment in the midst of a disastrous Mercury retrograde period, she takes shelter with a client who’s caring for two elderly aunts. One aunt appears stricken with dementia and the other has fallen under the spell of the Reverend Roy. To add to the confusion, a young man claiming to be a long lost nephew arrives. The longer he stays, the more dangerous things become. Is the young man truly a member of the family? Can astrology confirm that? Julia’s not sure, but one thing she does know is that Mercury wasn’t merely the messenger of the gods―he was a trickster and a liar as well.

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About the authorConnie di Marco is the author of the Zodiac Mysteries featuring San Francisco astrologer, Julia Bonatti. The Madness of Mercury is the first in the series. Writing as Connie Archer, she is also the author of the Soup Lover’s Mysteries set in Vermont from Berkley Prime Crime. You can find her excerpts and recipes in The Cozy Cookbook and The Mystery Writers of America Cookbook. Connie is a member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime and International Thriller Writers.

Another new series! My tbr pile is growing by leaps and bounds. Thanks for the chance to win. This one sounds interesting.

Connie di Marco
on June 8, 2016 at 10:41 am

Hi Mary – I hope you get to meet Julia and her pals soon! Best of luck!

Lexie
on June 8, 2016 at 4:04 am

This book sounds delightfully fun. I love cozies set in SF. Thank you.

Connie di Marco
on June 8, 2016 at 10:42 am

Hi Lexie – I do too, actually any book set in San Francisco, all the way back to Sam Spade and the Maltese Falcon. Good luck to you!

Kristie Dilcher
on June 8, 2016 at 5:52 am

Looks like a great read! Thanks for the chance!

Connie di Marco
on June 8, 2016 at 10:43 am

Hi Kristie – I certainly hope people enjoy Madness! Best of luck today!

Jen S.
on June 8, 2016 at 6:03 am

This cozy sounds like a fun cozy mystery, and I adore the cover art. Thank you for the chance to win.

Connie di Marco
on June 8, 2016 at 10:44 am

Isn’t that an amazing cover? The artist did such a great job! Best of luck, Jen!

Gram
on June 8, 2016 at 7:09 am

I like the sound of this book. Count me in please.

Connie di Marco
on June 8, 2016 at 10:46 am

Thanks for joining in today! I hope you’ll be visiting San Francisco soon. Good luck, Gram!

Donna Gantt
on June 8, 2016 at 7:23 am

I haven’t read books by this author before and I’m excited! Thanks.

Connie di Marco
on June 8, 2016 at 10:48 am

Hi Donna – great to meet you here, at Dru Ann’s site! This is the first book and first series under my own name, but you might know my other series, the Soup Lover’s Mysteries, written as Connie Archer. Best of luck to you!

lkh828
on June 8, 2016 at 7:30 am

This sounds like a book I would really get into. The zodiac & astrology has always intrigued me. Plus, I can never pass up a good mystery! So, I will cross my fingers & hope that fate will make me a winner! Thank you so much for the chance to win The Madness of Mercury & good luck to all who enter!

Connie di Marco
on June 8, 2016 at 10:50 am

Ah . . . me too. I feel the same way. That’s the reason I wanted to invent a crime-solving astrologer! I hope fate smiles upon you today!

Amy Gill
on June 8, 2016 at 7:36 am

“Madness” sounds like the beginning of something good. I want it.

Connie di Marco
on June 8, 2016 at 10:52 am

Hi Amy – Thanks for stopping by today. I think you’d enjoy the mystery and Julia’s adventures. Good luck!

robeader
on June 8, 2016 at 9:02 am

The zodiac and astrology are unique fields to study. Incorporating them into a mystery will be an added touch for sure. Thanks for including Madness of Mercury on your blog and for the opportunity to enter the giveaway. robeader53@yahoo.com

Connie di Marco
on June 8, 2016 at 10:54 am

Hi Robin, I’m thrilled that Julia’s visiting at A Day in the Life, thanks to Dru Ann! Especially today because it’s Release Day for The Madness of Mercury! Best of luck!

Barbara Hackel
on June 8, 2016 at 9:12 am

What a beautiful cover-it draws you in right away. The premise of someone making their living doing astrology is fascinating and a new twist for a cozy series. Thanks Dru for the introduction. Connie, good luck with this series-it’s in the stars that it will be successful! Thanks for the chance to win a copy! 🙂

Connie di Marco
on June 8, 2016 at 10:57 am

Oh thank you, Barbara! I’m so glad you enjoy the concept of an astrologer solving crimes. Let’s hope the stars align for Julia! Best of luck today!

elainehroberson
on June 8, 2016 at 9:18 am

This would be a great book to add to my cozy challenge list. Thanks for a chance to win a copy. Love the cover.

Connie di Marco
on June 8, 2016 at 10:58 am

I agree, Elaine, the cover is amazing! Happy reading and best of luck!

Peggy Hyndman
on June 8, 2016 at 9:27 am

The cover is beautiful and the book sounds great. Thank you for the chance to win a print copy of The Madness of Mercury.

This book sounds like a fascinating read. I don’t know much about astrology or the zodiac and this seems like a great way to start.

Connie di Marco
on June 8, 2016 at 7:44 pm

Hi Dianne ~ I hope you pick up a few tidbits of astrological lore, and there’s a little more on my website too. Happy reading and best of luck!

Mary C.
on June 8, 2016 at 7:44 pm

Sounds like a great read . I have a friend who does Tarot card readings and another who does palmistry.

Connie di Marco
on June 8, 2016 at 7:46 pm

That sounds fascinating, Mary! And you know, I think there’s a Tarot mystery series published by Midnight Ink too. You can find it I’m sure on the publisher’s website. Thanks so much for visiting and good luck to you!

Hi Johnna ~ Nice to see you here! Thanks for stopping by. I hope you’ll get to explore the Zodiac Mysteries soon!

Pauline Barlow
on June 10, 2016 at 12:33 am

I have read and enjoyed your Soup Lovers Mysteries and Snowflake, Vermont so very much. I’m looking forward to reading your entirely new venture with “The Madness of Mercury” beginning the series.

Connie di Marco
on June 10, 2016 at 11:28 am

Hi Pauline, thanks so much! I’m so glad to hear you’ve enjoyed all the stories in Snowflake. I’ve loved writing that series. Julia’s a little older than Lucky, and of course it’s an urban setting, but I hope you enjoy her stories just as much! Best of luck to you!

Hi Barb – Great to see you here! I’m really excited the first Zodiac Mystery is finally out in the world. My publisher has decided to call the next one “All Signs Point to Murder,” (at least so far), which is a clever title. I hope you like it just as much! Thanks so much for your good thoughts!

Thank you! I’m so excited that Madness of Mercury is actually out in the world! Good luck to you!

Vanessa
on June 13, 2016 at 11:03 pm

Love the cover and the idea for your new mystery series, thank you for the opportunity to win! Would treasure a copy!!

Connie di Marco
on June 14, 2016 at 12:41 pm

Oh thank you, Vanessa! Dru Ann tells me this contest ends tonight at midnight on June 14th, so I’m making a list and about to use Random.org. Good luck!

Connie di Marco
on June 14, 2016 at 12:52 pm

Dru Ann – Thanks so much for hosting Julia’s first appearance at “A Day in the Life!” I’ve tallied all the entries and with random.org, picked the winner fair and square. The winner of a copy of The Madness of Mercury is Johnna at JohnnaBooks! I’ll post this on FB too, but if you see this comment, Johnna, please send me your mailing address at askzodia@gmail.com.
Thanks to everyone who entered! I so appreciate your interest in the Zodiac Mysteries and I hope everyone will get to meet Julia and enter her world!

Marilyn Watson
on June 14, 2016 at 2:35 pm

Astrology …sounds wonderful! I love all the mystery involved in the synopsis of this. Please enter me.
Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com

Hi Marilyn ~ Thanks so much for stopping by! I didn’t get a chance to get back to you sooner. A winner was chosen this morning, but I appreciate your interest in the Zodiac Mysteries! I hope you get to meet Julia soon!